Is Chin Augmentation Right for You?

No one ever says “it’s as plain as the chin on your face,” but when it comes to chin augmentation, that might be exactly what needs to be said. Your chin can play a big part when it comes to defining your facial features and the profile of your face. When your chin is small in comparison to the rest of your facial features, those features can look over sized. A weak chin can also look as though it is receding into your neck or like it is barely there.

Like most plastic surgeries, chin augmentation isn’t for everyone. If you’ve long been bothered by a small chin, it might be a good call for you. However, it’s worth it to discuss the surgery and all of your options in depth with a qualified surgeon first.

What Chin Augmentation Does

The goal of chin augmentation is to make the chin stronger and more pronounced. Usually, a surgeon uses chin implants to augment the area. Surgery in the chin area can also reduce the size of a chin that is too prominent by shaving off some of the bone.

If the surgery is performed to enhance the chin, the final result can improve a person’s profile when he or she is viewed from the side. It can also help make the nose look smaller or otherwise balance the facial features. To help a patient get the most symmetrical, balanced look possible, a surgeon often performs chin augmentation at the same time as rhinoplasty, or nasal surgery.

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts a facial implant into a small incision made just beneath the chin or inside the mouth below the lower lip. With incisions made inside of the mouth, any resulting scars aren’t visible. Implants are available in a range of sizes and materials, and your surgeon will choose the size that works best for you.

How’s Your Health?

Your health plays a big role in determining if a chin implant is right for you. Generally, patients shouldn’t have any major health issues before they undergo any elective surgery. You might have to have blood work and certain lab tests done before the procedure, depending on your age and medical history.

Talk to your surgeon about any medicines you take as well, even if it’s just a simple multi-vitamin each day. Some supplements and common over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, should be avoided starting a few weeks before any plastic surgery, as they can increase your risk for bleeding.

Understand Your Options

It’s a good idea to understand all of the options out there when it comes to balancing your facial features or altering the size of your chin. For example, if you’re not quite sure that you’re ready to commit to a change in your chin’s size, you might discuss trying a temporary dermal filler in the area first to give you a sense of how things will work.

If you like the results, you can discuss the possibility of having a chin augmentation surgery. If you aren’t happy with the results, you can simply wait for the filler to wear off.

Since the size of the nose and the size of the chin often influence or play off of each other, it can be worth your while to see if chin augmentation is really the best pick or if you’d get more appropriate results from rhinoplasty. Another thing to consider is whether or not two surgeries, augmentation of the chin and rhinoplasty, would be best for you.

Check Your Schedule

Some downtime is a must after surgery in the chin area. You can expect to take about a week off from work, during which time you’ll want to rest up and take it easy. There might be some swelling and bruising in the area as you recover. Keeping your chin and head elevated and using a cold compress can help reduce both.

How to Pay for Surgery

You’ll want to have a plan for paying for your chin implant before you decide on and schedule your surgery. The exact cost of the procedure varies based on the type of implant you get, how complex the surgery is and the type of anesthesia used. In some cases, the implant might be covered by insurance, but it is often considered a cosmetic treatment and not covered.

It’s worth it to check with your insurance company first, though, to see if they offer any coverage and to find out what the procedure is for getting coverage. If your insurance doesn’t cover any part of the surgery and you don’t have the cash to pay for it in full up front, there are several financing options that might be worth considering.

If you have any additional questions about chin augmentation or are interested in learning more about what to expect from the procedure, Dr. Michael Schwartz, a board certified facial plastic surgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, is happy to discuss the surgery with you further. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schwartz, call 561-228-5888 today.